Oral Presentations
Location
Schewel 208
Access Type
Campus Access Only
Entry Number
25
Start Date
4-6-2022 1:30 PM
End Date
4-6-2022 1:45 PM
Department
Environmental Science
Abstract
Groundwater is an important aspect of a watershed, as it is a reservoir for the storage of water. It both provides water to the surface in dry periods and absorbs excess water in wet periods. The specific purpose of this research was to determine the recharge rate of the water table after a rainfall event, with a goal to also develop a framework for long-term monitoring of the water table along Blackwater Creek upstream of College Lake, and to establish baseline data before the dam removal project. Recharge rate was measured as the lag time between precipitation and groundwater rise. The groundwater at the study site was monitored over the course of five months using automatic water level sensors in wells. Precipitation data were obtained from the City of Lynchburg’s rain gauges. Graphs of the data showed groundwater fluctuation patterns consistent with changes in precipitation amounts over time. The short-term success of this research means that this methodology will be a viable way to monitor groundwater along Blackwater Creek in the long term, which will be useful in tracking changes to the watershed as College Lake is removed and new wetlands are created.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Laura Henry-StoneDr. David PeraultDr. Jennifer Styrsky
Rights Statement
The right to download or print any portion of this material is granted by the copyright owner only for personal or educational use. The author/creator retains all proprietary rights, including copyright ownership. Any editing, other reproduction or other use of this material by any means requires the express written permission of the copyright owner. Except as provided above, or for any other use that is allowed by fair use (Title 17, §107 U.S.C.), you may not reproduce, republish, post, transmit or distribute any material from this web site in any physical or digital form without the permission of the copyright owner of the material.
Effects of Precipitation on Groundwater Level in an Urban Watershed
Schewel 208
Groundwater is an important aspect of a watershed, as it is a reservoir for the storage of water. It both provides water to the surface in dry periods and absorbs excess water in wet periods. The specific purpose of this research was to determine the recharge rate of the water table after a rainfall event, with a goal to also develop a framework for long-term monitoring of the water table along Blackwater Creek upstream of College Lake, and to establish baseline data before the dam removal project. Recharge rate was measured as the lag time between precipitation and groundwater rise. The groundwater at the study site was monitored over the course of five months using automatic water level sensors in wells. Precipitation data were obtained from the City of Lynchburg’s rain gauges. Graphs of the data showed groundwater fluctuation patterns consistent with changes in precipitation amounts over time. The short-term success of this research means that this methodology will be a viable way to monitor groundwater along Blackwater Creek in the long term, which will be useful in tracking changes to the watershed as College Lake is removed and new wetlands are created.